The Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) was created to enable FAO to make its know-how and technical expertise available to member countries upon request, drawing from its own resources. The TCP provides assistance in all areas pertaining to FAO’s mandate and competence that are covered by the Strategic Framework to respond to governments’ priority needs.

To date, through the TCP, projects have been funded for a total value of about USD 1.5 billion. These short-term, catalytic and sustainable projects are driven by the demands and priorities of member countries, addressing critical gaps in hunger and malnutrition eradication, sustainable production, rural poverty reduction more efficient and inclusive food chains and building resilience to crisis. TCP projects catalyse change, foster capacity development and assist countries in mobilizing resources, in line with the Country Programming Frameworks agreed to with governments.

Technical Cooperation Programme at a glance

TCP projects support development efforts or provide emergency and rehabilitation assistance in response to crises. Projects ensure sustainable impacts, address a critical gap, lead to a transfer of technical knowledge in the country and contribute to achieving FAO's Strategic Objectives.

TCP projects range from tackling shrimp disease in Vietnam and disposing of obsolete pesticides in Malawi to adapting to climate change in Peru and sustainably managing forest resources in the Kyrgyz Republic.

Approximately USD 129.6 million is available for TCP projects during the 2014-15 biennium.TCP projects have a budget of up to USD 500 000 and a maximum duration of 24 months.

Success stories

Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos together have the lion's share of the global cassava export market; more than 90 percent. Vietnam, the world's second largest exporter of cassava after Thailand, shipped 3.1 million tonnes of cassava products in 2013, worth around USD 1.1 billion.
And the industry...

Brucellosis has become endemic in livestock across Georgia, especially in the country’s eastern region. Infected animals shed the bacteria through their milk or reproductive discharge, which in turn can contaminate communal feed, pasture and water. Left undetected or untreated, the disease can spread...

To counter the risk of poor yields, lost income and hunger, the Government of Zimbabwe turned to FAO for assistance in helping farmers in the country's marginal areas focus more on producing small grains such as sorghum and millet.
Both are traditionally important...